Colorado has lost at least 20 games and finished last in the Big 12 for the past three seasons. The program's last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2003 and its last victory in the Big Dance was in 1997 (courtesy of Chauncey Billups).

Yet the Buffs, picked to finish last in the conference again by the coaches, will be on college basketball's biggest preseason stage Monday when they open the EA Sports Maui Invitational against Gonzaga at the Lahaina Civic Center (1 p.m., ESPN2).

So how did CU end up in a tournament that usually features teams like North Carolina, Duke, UCLA and Connecticut (the last four champions of the event)?

Jeff Bzdelik.

Despite all of the recent struggles on the court, the program is gaining respect because the former Denver Nuggets and Air Force head coach is in charge of the rebuilding process in Boulder.

"I'll be honest with you, one of the reasons Colorado is here is because of him. He has a great reputation and so much respect around the country," Maui Invitational tournament chairman Dave Odom said during an interview with the Camera. "When the field was being aligned, one of the things when the University of Colorado's name came up was that they have a great coach there now, one who is reputable and does it the right way. He's highly respected from a tactical standpoint, and it's a good time to get them in here."

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Ironically, Bzdelik's young team must prove that it belongs in the field -- which also includes Arizona, Cincinnati, Maryland, Vanderbilt and Wisconsin -- without him on the bench.

After participating in Sunday's coaches press conference and then putting his team through a crisp practice, Bzdelik abruptly flew from Maui to Chicago upon receiving word that his mother had fallen ill. CU associate head coach Steve McClain will coach the team throughout the tournament.

"It's family. Jeff is where he needs to be," CU senior associate athletic director Tom McGrath said. "We have a great associate head coach and the players are prepared. The ball still goes up, and we'll play."

It has been a difficult season for Bzdelik off the court. He also missed the opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff to attend to a family emergency involving his daughter. McClain coached the Buffs to an 88-72 victory in that Nov. 13 game.

"We've already got the game plan in and we know how we want to play," said McClain, who coached Wyoming to an upset victory over Gonzaga in the 2002 NCAA Tournament. "We're not going to change anything about how we approach the game."

Beating Gonzaga -- which lost 75-71 at No. 2 Michigan State last week -- would qualify as a significant upset for CU. The Bulldogs of the West Coast Conference have a history of bullying teams from BCS conferences.

"People need to understand this: They put all their money into basketball," Bzdelik said. "They have their own private jet, they have their own facilities, it is the biggest show in town, and they have unbelievable passion and support to back their team.

"And because of that they will always dominate their league and they will always feel great about themselves because they think and act like winners."

Bzdelik pointed out that Mark Few's record against Big Ten opponents is 6-12.

"I only say that from the standpoint that they're a big fish in a small pond," Bzdelik said. "And because of that they feel great about themselves and there's a carry over to when they step on the court against other people. They've really done an awesome job there."

Meanwhile, CU is a small fish in a Big 12 pond.

But that's what athletic director Mike Bohn -- who is in Maui to talk to his peers about how to build/support a solid men's basketball program, while also mulling over the big decision on Dan Hawkins -- and Bzdelik are trying to change.

The Buffs have a new basketball operations center, a new locker room and a new weight room at the Coors Events Center. Ground is expected to be broken on a new practice facility this season.

CU has a star player in Cory Higgins, who is averaging 23.3 points per game and shooting 70 percent from the field. And Bzdelik's 3-0 team appears to be much deeper and more talented with the addition of a strong recruiting class.

Now the college basketball world will get a chance to hear about some of the progress that gets lost in all of the losing as the Buffs play on national television against quality opponents for three straight days.

"To be a part of college basketball's most prestigious tournament is an honor for the university and a wonderful experience for our players," Bzdelik said. "And we'll find out a lot about ourselves as a basketball team."

Ready or not, the Buffs have arrived at the Maui Invitational.

"Being here places (Bzdelik) on the national stage," Odom said. "That's a place that Colorado basketball has not always been able to get."

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